The 37-year-old long snapper was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm in September and he required open heart surgery. Dorenbos’ condition was discovered during a physical after he was traded from the Eagles to the Saints. Dorenbos spent a decade in Philadelphia from 2006-2016 and says the trade saved his life.

“Had I played, I’d die,” Dorenbos told the New Orleans Advocate last week. “Mr. Lurie called me and said he wants me to be a part of it — said I was here a long time and he said, ‘We’re going to win this, and you’re going to get a ring.’”